Hurricane Lane unleashed torrential rainfall in parts of Hawaii from 22 August, 2018, causing flooding and landslides.
Hurricane Lane weakened and was downgraded to a tropical storm as it moved towards Hawaii. However, the storm still brought huge amounts of rainfall.
NWS Honolulu said rains associated with former Hurricane Lane produced the third highest storm total rainfall from a tropical cyclone in the USA since 1950. Some areas of Big Island (Hawaii Island) recorded more than 50 inches (1,270 mm) of rain from 22 to 26 August.
Honolii Stream near Papaikou jumped from 3 feet (0.9 metres) to the minor flood stage mark of 15 feet (4.5 metres) in the space of 12 hours on 22 August. The stream peaked at 18.3 feet (5.57 m) on 23 August.
Levels of the Wailuku River at Piihonoua also jumped dramatically and reached 24.2 feet (7.37 metres), well above minor flood stage of 18 feet (5.48 m).
Emergency teams were called on to rescue around 50 people trapped in flood water since 23 August. According to Hawaii County Civil Defense, neighborhoods around Hilo were evacuated on 24 August.
Numerous roads have been blocked or closed in several locations on Big Island due to wind damage, land slips and flood debris. Power outages also affected some areas. Authorities will carry our full damage assessments over the coming days.
Further Warnings
Hurricane Lane passed dangerously close to the islands before weakening. Flood warnings remain in place across much of Hawaii as further rain is expected in the wake of Hurricane Lane.
NWS Honolulu said “Moisture left behind in Lane’s wake will continue to bring showers to the islands through Tuesday. Windward locations are expected to receive the bulk of the rain.”
Social Media
#HawaiiIsland #hitraffic 4:30 PM 8/25 update: the rock has come down on Highway 19 near Kaawali Gulch. We will let traffic through intermittently while we clear the debris from the road. pic.twitter.com/1jFKCatRU9
— Hawaii DOT (@DOTHawaii) August 26, 2018
Preliminary storm totals from Big Island: Hakalau Station 31.21", Waikea Experimental Station 23.67". #HurricaneLane #HIwx
— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) August 24, 2018
Video: Jonathan Correa #lane #hurricanelane latest updates at https://t.co/cmHDxgZH23 #hilo #bayfront pic.twitter.com/3tPnF1jf7M
— IG: @MalikaDudley (@MalikaDudley) August 24, 2018
Preliminary rainfall measurements from the Big Island of Hawaii over the last four days, associated with former Hurricane #Lane, have produced the third highest storm total rainfall from a tropical cyclone in the US since 1950. Graphic below shows totals for Big Island and Maui. pic.twitter.com/kUmLFv5TNb
— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) August 26, 2018
3.36 inches of rain in Pahoa – IN THE LAST HOUR 1.28 inches IN THE LAST 15 MINUTES
— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) August 25, 2018
https://twitter.com/MilekaLincoln/status/1032764530101637120
Remnant moisture from #Lane is still generating impressive rainfall totals for Kauai and Oahu. #hiwx pic.twitter.com/D8Ulk5l2wT
— NWSHonolulu (@NWSHonolulu) August 29, 2018
Flood Summary
Locations
B - Hilo
Magnitude
Mount Waialeale - August 27 to August 29, 2018
Figures according to NWS Honolulu
Honolii Stream near Papaikou - August 23 to August 23, 2018
Minor flood stage is 15 feet (4.5 metres)
Wailuku River at Piihonoua - August 22 to August 23, 2018
Minor flood stage is 18 feet (5.48 m).
Halaulani Stream near Kilauea - August 28 to August 28, 2018
Major flood stage is 2.97m
Damages
Hilo - August 23 to August 24, 2018
Hanalei - August 28 to August 30, 2018
Estimated figure
